By Tyler Wright
After the federal government confirmed funding cuts to the ‘Sealing the Hills’ and ‘Roads for the Community’ programs in the October budget, Yarra Ranges Council and Cardinia Shire Council are awaiting confirmation on whether two major road projects in the municipalities will be able to fully continue.
The programs were due to run until 2029 after $300 million of funding was announced in 2019 to seal 187 kilometres of unsealed roads in the Yarra Ranges and 110 kilometres of unsealed roads in Cardinia Shire.
One of the major roads now in question is Kallista’s Gleghorn Road which was listed in the Yarra Ranges Council’s Roads for the Community Program, expected to be sealed with associated underground drainage improvements and completed in the 2022-23 financial year.
The other is works on Emberson Street which were included in the program for 2025-26.
The Star Mail understands Yarra Ranges Council received approval for funding of $98,577,380 in 2021 to help deliver the first six years of the Roads for the Community program.
Cardinia Shire Council has had $41 million of federal funding approved for the Sealing the Hills’ current and upcoming works, the Star Mail understands.
There are a total of 42 packages outstanding in the Sealing the Hills program across more than 160 roads and 102 km in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounds.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child and Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Tammy Radford went to Canberra last week to meet with the federal government about their commitment to fund the remaining unsealed road projects.
Yarra Ranges Council Director of Environment and Infrastructure, Bill Millard, said the council is awaiting advice to see what extent of funding will be honoured.
“However, we are expecting significant cuts to funding which will impact community members right across Yarra Ranges,” Mr Millard said.
According to Mr Millard, the Roads for Community Program has delivered significant road construction projects, with associated drainage, that otherwise may not have been possible.
Feedback from residents – particularly those on constructed roads – has also been “very positive,” he said.
“We are extremely disappointed that the program will not be completed in full, but we are expecting more information on funding commitments by the end of the year,” Mr Millard said.
“We will inform the community of the result, including residents on roads currently flagged for future construction.”
Mayor Radford said the funding is vital to support the community and council to seal hundreds of kilometres of roads.
“We’re continuing to advocate strongly for funding towards the entirety of this program. On behalf of our communities, we’d be extremely disappointed should federal funding not be available for the entirety of this vitally important road safety program,” she said.
Both councils are awaiting an official response from the responsible Minister.
A spokesperson for the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government told the Star Mail the October budget honoured the Albanese Government’s election commitments, and sought to deliver infrastructure projects in a sustainable way.
“The current economic conditions are affecting the delivery of infrastructure investments, and increasing pressure on the Commonwealth Budget, so existing infrastructure projects have been reviewed, and in some cases, reduced or discontinued,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes the Sealing Roads projects in the Dandenong Ranges for the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire councils, where future projects have been discontinued. A number of projects have already been delivered and we will continue to work with both councils to deliver works that are currently under construction or have tender processes underway to ensure minimal disruption.”
The spokesperson said the federal government is investing in road infrastructure that will support a better-connected future for the Dandenong Ranges and the surrounding region, including a $1.75 billion investment in the North East Link and $21.55 million in the Princes Highway Intersection Upgrades – Pakenham to Beaconsfield projects, both already underway.
“We are also continuing to roll out the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, which is providing funds to all Australian councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects, supporting jobs and the resilience of local communities,” they said.
Across the first three phases of LRCI, Yarra Ranges Shire Council is receiving around $12.06 million, Cardinia Shire Council nearly $9.15 million, and the City of Greater Dandenong just over $8.15 million.
“To continue this support, the Government has committed an additional $250 million to Phase 4 of the LRCI program, on top of the previously announced $500 million – taking the total commitment to this program to $3.25 billion. Councils will be able to access funding through Phase 4 from 1 July 2023, with projects to be delivered by 30 June 2025.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with all levels of government and local communities to build a better future for all Australians.”
For more information, please visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/sealingthehills and https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Development/Roads-drains-footpath/Road-maintenance-and-construction/Roads-for-Community-program
